Conclusion

So the smallest mirrorless camera on the block gets a generally successful upgrade and can be considered the most well realized Q camera yet. As with its predecessors we can visualise the smaller format, pack of playing cards-size of the Pentax Q7 going down a storm in the Far East. But, unless deliberately looking for a camera that will allow a more covert/candid shooting style, many Western users might prefer a compact with a bit more meat on its bones, by which we mean bigger buttons and a larger grip. Though they feature neither of these things competition exists in the likes of the Nikon 1 J3 and the Canon EOS M now its had several price drops, plus the newer Samsung NX2000 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6, the latter being a far better option all round for a price tag that’s currently in the Q7’s vicinity, even if it is (relatively speaking) bulky in comparison.

In terms of picture quality this is where the Q7, whilst by no means terrible, nevertheless falls down, being neither a match for fellow CSC’s in this price bracket nor entry level digital SLRs it might offer an alternative to, As it is, we would neither suggest it as a replacement for or alternative to a DSLR. There are more bells and whistles here to help you make a better fist of what might otherwise be a fairly run of the mill snapshot-type image, but the basics of a larger sensor and bigger glass are always going to be missing, so it can rather feel like shooting with one hand behind your back at times.

In conclusion if you equate small with beautiful then the retro-styled Pentax Q7 is worth further investigation. This may also mean you’ll take it out with you more and achieve shots you might not otherwise have attempted. Yet whilst it looks great and is a lot of fun, predictably there are still better compromises between image quality and smaller form factor to be found elsewhere.